A Foreign Enemy is a Tyrant’s Best Friend

The recent Iran nuclear deal represents a thaw in the American cold war against that country. It is a welcome sequel to the Obama administration’s partial normalization with Cuba announced late last year. Hardliners denounce these policies as “going soft” on theocracy and communism. Yet, it is such critics’ own hardline, hawkish policies that have … Continue reading “A Foreign Enemy is a Tyrant’s Best Friend”

Why Can’t We All Travel To Cuba?

Earlier this month, entertainers Jay-Z and Beyoncé were given a license by the US government to travel to Cuba. Because it is not otherwise legal for Americans to travel to Cuba, this trip was only permitted as a “cultural exchange” by the US Treasury Department. Many suspect that the permission was granted at least partly … Continue reading “Why Can’t We All Travel To Cuba?”

WikiLeaks on Cuba:
US Undermines Dissidents

Editor’s note: Justin Raimondo is taking the holiday off but will be back Monday, Dec. 27. The WikiLeaks revelations continue to pour in, the latest including revealing material on the intimate and always troubled relationship between Cuban dissidents and the US government. Most of the attention has been given to a cable that characterized the … Continue reading “WikiLeaks on Cuba:
US Undermines Dissidents”

Key Congressional Committee Votes to Lift Cuba Travel Ban

In a major victory for anti-embargo forces, a key Congressional committee voted here Wednesday to lift restrictions on travel by U.S. citizens to Cuba. If passed by both houses of Congress, the Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act will also ease restrictions on U.S. agricultural exports to the Caribbean island that were imposed by … Continue reading “Key Congressional Committee Votes to Lift Cuba Travel Ban”

Radio, TV Marti Under Fire

Despite spending more than half a billion dollars over the last quarter century, U.S. government broadcasts to Cuba have gained only a tiny audience and have had virtually no effect on the island’s politics, according to a new report by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “Radio and TV Marti have failed to make any discernible … Continue reading “Radio, TV Marti Under Fire”

Five Decades of an Admittedly Failed Cuba Policy

U.S. citizens of Cuban descent are once again free to travel to Cuba and send an unlimited amount of money to their relatives on the island, but for the most part U.S. policy toward the communist nation hasn’t changed under President Barack Obama. Since taking office, Obama – who called the nearly half-century U.S. embargo … Continue reading “Five Decades of an Admittedly Failed Cuba Policy”

Obama Moving Cautiously Toward Normalization With Cuba

Sunday’s announcement by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that Washington will begin talks with Cuba on bilateral migration issues and resume direct postal service between the two countries suggests the new administration of President Barack Obama intends to proceed cautiously toward normalizing ties with the Caribbean nation, according to veteran experts . The announcement, which … Continue reading “Obama Moving Cautiously Toward Normalization With Cuba”

Despite Americas Summit, US-Cuba Ties Still in Limbo?

Despite a growing sense of anticipation coming out of the Trinidad Summit of the Americas last weekend regarding the possibility of a historic breakthrough in U.S.-Cuban relations, specialists here remain uncertain about how and even if that breakthrough will be achieved. The uncertainty revolves around the question of whether the administration of U.S. President Barack … Continue reading “Despite Americas Summit, US-Cuba Ties Still in Limbo?”